The Seventh Gate: The Seven Citadels (Volume 4) by Geraldine Harris

Author:Geraldine Harris
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781612320489
Publisher: Speaking Volumes, LLC
Published: 2012-03-28T04:00:00+00:00

*****

Two hours later Forollkin stood looking down on the North Gate from the tower that he had taken as his headquarters. The square was rapidly filling with the people who were to leave the city, and the soldiers of their escort. All the children had gone long before but there were many women and old men who had only just been persuaded, or ordered, to leave. The sick and the badly wounded were to be carried on litters slung between placid oxen. Healing Priests were bent over their patients, administering sleeping potions. In one corner of the square the temple actors were loading their props and costumes on to a cart.

Every few minutes a scout sent out by Forollkin to check that the north and east roads were still clear, would thread his way through the crowd. The new Lord Commander acknowledged their reports without moving from the window. The death of Jerenac had caused little stir in the city. Only the officers who had known him well mourned their Commander. The people of Viroc had respected Jerenac but had never loved him.

Below the window a soldier was saying goodbye to his young wife. They were talking about trivial things, but their hands gripped each other frantically. Gwerath had been given no time to reach out to her love as she died. He hadn't even been looking at her . . .

“Forollkin,” said Kelinda for the second time and at last the young Lord Commander turned round. “Forollkin, the Healing Priests will need more room so I have told them to bring all wounded to the Governor's Palace from now on. I was trained in healing on Trykis, so I can help in the nursing as well as the organization.”

“I will gladly place the injured in your charge,” said Forollkin gratefully. “Are there many too badly hurt to leave tonight?”

“Only four, “ Kelinda's ink-stained hands were clutching the lists of necessary supplies she had spent the last hour drawing up, “but I presume you are expecting heavy casualties when the attacks begin again.”

Forollkin nodded grimly. Following her instinct, Kelinda began to talk about firewood and bandages and drugs. Slowly Forollkin absorbed himself in the details of provisioning the hospital and didn't notice that anyone had entered the room until a harsh voice said, “Well, do we make convincing royal musicians?”

Gidjabolgo was holding the zildar in one hand and guiding the Prince with the other. Kerish was dressed in a simple blue tunic and cloak. His head was thrown back to reveal the silvered hair, but his eyes were covered by a band of dark cloth.

“Forollkin?” Kerish took a few uncertain steps forward as Gidjabolgo released his arm.

“No, not blind . . . Kerish, I can't bear it. I can't let you go like this!”

Forollkin reached out to strip the bandage from his brother's eyes, but Kerish resisted him with his good hand.

“Forollkin, please! If you take the blindfold off now, I'll never have the courage to put it on again. Don't let me see you .

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